About this experience
Meet outside the David Citadel Hotel, King David Street 7, Jerusalem, at 7:45 AM. Pickup and return are at this meeting point only.
Tour to Bethlehem a biblical town south of Jerusalem in the West Bank. The biblical birthplace of Jesus, it’s a major Christian pilgrimage destination.
On This Tour, we shall visit the Shepherds Field, Milk Grotto, Nativity Church, Olive Wood Factory and Store then go back to Jerusalem and from there Drive through the north of the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea region.
Bathing at the Dead Sea. Immerse in the mud and float in the salty waters, we will have about two hours in the dead sea then Start heading back toward Jerusalem to drop off in Jerusalem David Citadel Hotel.
* Please bring your passport because it's required sometimes when passing the checkpoint
* All times are approximate, Switch of vehicles is Required
This is a shared tour. Group size varies by departure, and the vehicle is selected according to the number of guests.
At a glance
- Duration: 8 hr–11 hr
Planning perspective
How I’d plan this experience
This is a long, full-day combination of Bethlehem’s religious sites and a Dead Sea bathing stop, starting and ending at one Jerusalem meeting point. I’d choose it if you want both experiences in a single outing and are comfortable with a shared tour whose schedule can shift. The main thing to weigh is certainty: the listed stops are clear, but access to important church grottoes is not guaranteed, and the Dead Sea stop is described by duration rather than by a named shore.
Who this day suits
The itinerary gives Bethlehem substantial attention: it includes Shepherds’ Field, St. Catherine’s Church, the Milk Grotto and the Church of the Nativity, as well as an olive-wood factory and store. I think it suits visitors who want guided introductions to several Christian sites, then a chance to bathe at the Dead Sea, without arranging separate transport.
It is less suited to anyone who wants a slow, flexible visit or has one specific grotto as a must-see. The overall duration is listed as 8–11 hours, and the tour is shared; I’d plan for a full day rather than assume a tightly predictable finish.
Set expectations at the Nativity sites
The itinerary includes a guided visit to the Church of the Nativity, but that should not be read as a promise of entry to every grotto. Access to the Birth Grotto and St. Jerome’s Grotto may be affected by queues, restoration or services. If either is your priority, I’d treat that uncertainty as a real drawback and consider whether a more flexible private arrangement matters more than joining this shared day.
The olive-wood stop is described as a visit to a factory and store, with no pressure to buy. I’d regard it as part of the scheduled day, not a required shopping stop.
Plan for the meeting point and a change of vehicle
Be ready at the front of the David Citadel Hotel at 7:45 AM. Pickup and return are at that location only, so this is not a door-to-door option; I’d factor in getting yourself to and from the meeting point. Bring your passport, since it may be required at the checkpoint.
The tour is shared, group size varies, and a vehicle switch is required. Times are approximate, so leave breathing room after the tour rather than making plans that depend on a precise return. Food and drink are not included.
Account for the Dead Sea cost and unspecified shore
The Dead Sea stop allows about two hours for bathing, but the itinerary does not name the shore or describe its facilities. I’d avoid assuming a particular beach setup from the tour description. There is also a stated entrance fee of 45 NIS per person for the Dead Sea, separate from the listed inclusions, so include that in your planning.
Planning analysis informed by the tour itinerary · Updated November 5, 2026
Plan your experience
Set aside 8 hr–11 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please bring your passport because it's required sometimes when passing the checkpoint
Local guides to help you plan
Choose a clearly named Dead Sea shore
Start with a specific place and the arrangements that reach it. The basin is shared; a booking is always more particular.
What is included
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- David Citadel Hotel 7:45am Pick up and Return there only
- Only Bethlehem with Guide
Not included
- Food & Drink
- Entry fees for Dead Sea 45 NIS each
- Dead Sea
Itinerary and highlights
Visit to the Shepherds Field with the Guide.
The Shepherds' Field Chapel or the Sanctuary of the Gloria in excelsis Deo, dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima and St. Theresa of Lisieux, is a Roman Catholic religious building in the area of Beit Sahour
Visit St. Catherine’s Church with the guide. This Catholic church is adjacent to the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
Entry to St. Jerome’s Grotto and the other underground chapels is subject to church access, religious services, restoration work, queues, and the time available. Entry cannot be guaranteed.
Visit to the Milk Grotto with the Guide
The Chapel of the Milk Grotto of Our Lady also called Grotto of Our Lady or Milk Grotto, is a Catholic chapel in Bethlehem in the West Bank of the Palestinian Territories
Visit the Church of the Nativity with a tour guide. The Church of the Nativity, or Basilica of the Nativity, is located in Bethlehem in the West Bank, Palestine. The grotto it contains holds religious significance to Christians of various denominations as the traditional birthplace of Jesus.
Please note: Entry to the Birth Grotto and St. Jerome’s Grotto is not guaranteed due to restoration work, queues and special Masses. This applies to both morning and afternoon tours.
If visiting the grottos is a priority, contact us through the booking platform to discuss private-tour options with more flexible timing. Entry remains subject to church access.
Visit the Olive wood Factory and Store - no pressure to buy - Elijah tours don't benefit from your shopping you can get their contact information and buy from them directly - 25 mins at the store & factory, total about 3-4 hours in Bethlehem
Visit the Dead Sea With Driver Only - Niv Medbar Beach.
Meeting and pickup information
- Pick up from Jerusalem: 7:45 Pick up from Jerusalem David Citadel Hotel ( Front of the Hotel ) King David 7, Jerusalem, 9410119, Israel and return back to david citadel hotel only
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Elijah Tours & Travel
Accessibility and practical details
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please bring your passport because it's required sometimes when passing the checkpoint
- All times are approximate, Switch of vehicles is Required
- All our Drivers have your main booking name on their phones, make sure to see your name on the phone of the driver before you go to the Viechle/bus
- After you book the tour add us on WhatsApp for easier pickup we can tell you type of vehicle/driver name in the early morning only at the day of the Tour - Whatsapp number found in the ticket after you book the tour
- Please note: Entry to the Birth Grotto and St. Jerome’s Grotto is not guaranteed due to restoration work, queues and special Masses. This applies to both morning and afternoon tours. If visiting the grottos is a priority, contact us through the booking platform to discuss private-tour options with more flexible timing. Entry remains subject to church access.
- The waiting lines to see the birth grotto could vary from 1-2 hours during high season
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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